Women more stressed by insomnia

Whether it's due to partners snoring, nagging consciences or the stresses and anxieties of modern life, new research has revealed that women are almost 20 per cent more likely to suffer insomnia than men.

A year-long investigation by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) into the sleeping habits of more than 2,000 women aged from 18 to 64 has found that almost two-thirds had between one and three disturbed nights every week. Almost 70 per cent said they frequently experience a sleep problem.

This compares to 52 per cent of men who say they suffer insomnia a few nights a week or more.

The study reflects research in a new book by the founder of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr Meir Kryger, author of Can't Sleep, Can't Stay Awake: A Woman's Guide To Sleep Disorders. 'Unlike men, women have sleep problems related to hormonal and bodily changes from menstruation, pregnancy and menopause,' he said.

'Unfortunately, too often it is women whose sleep disorders are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because of a lack of education among doctors about these unique problems. This failure by doctors to correctly diagnose female sleeplessness is meaning sufferers are putting their health at risk while contributing to dramatic rises in obesity and diabetes.

'Women lose sleep because of their role in the family and the demands of today's 24/7 world,' he added.

Kryger said that women's disorders are often missed because, although they have the same sleep disorders as men, the way they react to sleeplessness is very different. 'The problem is compounded by the likelihood that women will not even realise symptoms in themselves indicating that they have sleep disorders,' he said. 'For example, women with sleep apnea - temporarily stopping breathing while asleep - have symptoms of depression more often than men with apnea.'

Kryger claimed that female sleeplessness is frequently misdiagnosed by doctors because of a widespread belief that women rarely suffer sleep problems, combined with the fact that insomnia manifests itself differently in women to how it does in men.

Richard Gelula, the chief executive of the NSF, said: 'The NSF study found that women's sleep problems can affect virtually every aspect of their lives, leaving them late for work, stressed out, too tired for sex and little time for their friends.'

'Women of all ages are burning the candle at both ends and as a result they are sleepless and stressed out. Poor sleep [affects] every aspect of a woman's life, as well as her health. In fact, more than one half of the women polled reported that they felt sad or depressed in the past month and one third reported they recently felt hopeless about the future.'

The study revealed, however, women refuse to succumb to the strain of sleeplessness. Almost 80 per cent said that, when they experience drowsiness during the day, they just accept it and keep going. Two thirds said they achieved this by drinking caffeine-rich drinks, with one third admitting consuming three or more such drinks every day in an attempt to escape their exhaustion. Just 8 per cent admitted missing work at least once a month due to tiredness.

'While most women refuse to put work on the back burner when they run out of time or are too sleepy, they admit choosing instead to cut back on healthy activities as they struggle through their daily lives,' said Gelula.

Half of the women admitted that sleep and exercise are the first things they sacrifice. In addition, more than one third said they also reduce the amount of time spent with friends and family, stop eating healthily and don't participate in sexual activity when feeling tired.

'Worryingly, women admit driving while feeling exhausted,' said Gelula. 'More than one quarter said they have driven while feeling drowsy at least once a month in the past year, 10 per cent of whom said they drove in this state while a child was in the car.'

Sleepless lives

Marlene Dietrich said the only thing that lulled her to sleep was a sardine and onion sandwich on rye bread.

Amy Lowell, the poet, would hire five rooms when she stayed in a hotel, one to sleep in and empty rooms all around.

Judy Garland became addicted to the amphetamines given to her by her studio to control her weight. She took so many that she would stay up for four nights running.

Tallulah Bankhead hired gay 'caddies' to hold her hand until she drifted off.

Marilyn Monroe was a long-time user of sleeping pills to ease stress.

Margaret Thatcher reportedly needed only four hours of sleep a night in order to function as Prime Minister, once famously claiming that 'sleep is for wimps'.